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Everyone has experienced the oven-like environs of a car's interior after the sun has been beating down on it for a few hours—the burning-hot seats and steering wheel, the dense and humid air that causes you to break out in a sweat and always takes too long to dissipate—to say nothing of the longer-term damage to your car's dashboard and console. But that experience can be easily mitigated with a sunshade, which stretches the length of your windshield to fend off the sun's heating rays. Other versions can also offer protection against ultraviolet radiation or add shade to the side windows and rear windshield (without obscuring your view), making the next road trip—or jaunt to the market—a thing of joy rather than a hot, blinding sufferfest. In addition to UV protection, look for price, visibility features, and size before making your ultimate purchase.
This quality car sunshade from EcoNour blocks the sun’s harmful UV rays, preventing your car from heating up to sauna-like temperatures. You won’t have to blast the air conditioning or worry about burning your hands on a hot steering wheel and seat belts. The sunshade easily pops out, so you can install it on your windshield in seconds. When you’re back in your car, you can simply fold it up and store it in the included pouch, which can fit in your car door pocket or center console. Made from high-quality nylon polyester material, this sunshade is lightweight but extremely durable. It also features a strong wire frame, so it’s sturdy and stays in place. With several different sizes, you can get one that fits your windshield perfectly, so you don’t have to worry about sunlight filtering through the edges. Despite its reasonable price tag, the EcoNour sunshade is built to last and will keep your car cool and protected.
Dimensions: 59 x 29 inches (small) | Weight: 4.8 ounces | Materials: 240T polyester
For sunshades that'll fit most cars (while still providing the best coverage), consider the EzyShade Windshield Sun Shade. It comes in two identical rectangular shades that'll adapt to your car's windshield, allowing you to install them vertically or horizontally. Along with a better fit, overlapping the two sunshades ensures over 99 percent UV protection and over 82 percent heat reduction. Its double shade design also keeps your car cool, while the shades are easy to install and store away in the pouch.
Dimensions: 31 x 28 inches (medium) | Weight: 7.1 ounces | Materials: Polyester
Clever design solves common issues
Sunshades on side windows can protect car seats and seat belts from heating up. This ShadeSox side window sunshade provides UV protection, reduces sun glare, and prevents backseat passengers from overheating. Easy to install, the ShadeSox is a flexible, stretchy mesh that pulls down over the open car door like a sleeve. Unlike roller shades or stick-on tinting, you can roll down the window and still stay protected from the sun. And you don’t have to worry about your child pulling it down or the shade falling off. Each set comes with two shades as well as a bag for storage.
Dimensions: Stretchy, one size | Weight: 5.3 ounces | Materials: 40-denier nylon
Doesn't fully cover window
Using a sunshade on your rear window can help prevent the back seat and kids’ car seats from heating up and helps keep back seat passengers cool and comfortable. The Brica White Hot Sun Shade from Munchkin comes in a pack of two rear window shades. The shades come with adjustable clips or suction cups, so you can choose how to hang them on your windows. These retractable shades are made of mesh fabric and feature a button you can push when you want the shades to be rolled up. The mesh fabric blocks against UV rays but also allows for visibility, which can help against motion sickness. Best of all, these shades include an indicator that will glow when the car gets too hot. Each shade measures 14 x 17 inches.
Dimensions: 14 x 17 inches | Weight: Not listed | Materials: SafeView premium mesh fabric
Some sunshades can take up a good portion of your trunk when not in use, but the ShineMatix Two-Piece Sun Shade folds up compactly to save storage space. You simply twist and fold the two shades over each other into a small circle, wrap the circle with the elastic straps, and then tuck the shade into its carrying case. Many reviewers noted that it was small enough to fit into back seat pockets or the space between the passenger seat and the car's console. When not folded up, this sunshade consists of two identical rectangles that effortlessly pop into place. It's made of high-density nylon that protects against 99 percent of UV rays and is available in three different sizes, though we recommend measuring your windshield instead of relying solely on the brand's size charts.
Dimensions: 23.5 x 29 inches (small) | Weight: 6.4 ounces | Materials: High-density polyester
Doesn't cover entire window
Although most cling sunshades are made to protect your baby from the sun, the Enovoe Car Window Shade stands out for several reasons. In addition to blocking over 97 percent of harmful UV rays, the sunshade boasts a dual-layer design: a mesh side for visibility and heat protection, as well as a static, cling back that offers easy window installation and removal—without adhesives. The 21 x 14-inch shade will also fit most side car windows, including SUVs, minivans, large sedans, and other full-sized cars. Keep your baby (and car) cool during road trips with the Enovoe shade, which comes in a pack of four.
Dimensions: 21 x 14 inches | Weight: 1.06 ounces | Materials: Mesh
Folding technique takes some practice
If you have a smaller car, this Magnelex sunshade is a great option to keep your vehicle cool and protected from solar damage. It's made of a reflective polyester material that blocks heat and sun. This shade is 59 x 31 inches, and users love that it covers the entire windshield, giving you maximum protection. When you're ready to roll, twist and fold up the car sunshade and store it in the included bag, which can be stashed in the seatback pocket, under the seat, or between the center console and passenger seat. If you have a larger car, the Magnelex sunshade also comes in other sizes.
Dimensions: 59 x 31 inches (medium) | Weight: 4.5 ounces | Materials: 240T polyester
Choice of two or four pieces
No specific claims about UV protection
These curtain-style sunshades are lightweight but opaque, creating a mobile privacy room wherever needed. Whether you're taking up the Spanish cultural tradition of a siesta on the go, need a calm changing space for a little one, or have an epic car camping trip planned, the luxe satin fabric blocks out the sun and wandering eyes with an elevated touch. Installation is as quick as aligning the 16 small magnets to your metal car window frame or door frame, and the window remains unblocked to allow fresh air in while maintaining a cool, comfortable environment.
Dimensions: 29.1 x 18.8 inches | Weight: 9.9 ounces | Materials: Satin
For a quality-made sunshade that keeps the temperature down and the sun out, reach for the EcoNour Car Windshield Sun Shade. It is available in multiple sizes and at a reasonable price point. If you are looking for side window protection, try the Shade Sox Car Side Window Sunshade.
Whether you’re looking for a shade to cover your windshield when you park your car or semi-transparent versions to provide shade on the back or side windows, be sure that the desired shade fits your vehicle. Most brands have several different sizes per model, while others, like retractable models, can fit several differently sized windows with a maximum length that typically exceeds most conventional vehicles.
Storage size is also important if you plan on only using the shade periodically. Look for ones that collapse into a small, flat package for easy storage in your trunk or stashing in a car organizer or the back pocket of your car’s front seats.
Most car sunshades are very reasonably priced, come in high-quality materials that offer reflectivity, and are sized to fit most vehicles. If you’re looking for ones with more custom options—retractable shades at specific sizes, shades that are customized to fit your vehicle seamlessly, or those with serious UV protection—expect the prices to increase.
Naturally, sunshades designed to block out the sun and thus keep your car cool when parked are made with high-quality opaque materials to fend off the sun's rays. But if you want to add more shade to the car's interior while driving—a nice feature to keep the sun off people when they're in the car and especially essential for protecting babies in car seats—look for models designed for the side and rear windows that boast mesh fabrics. These will let you filter out the sun's rays, cut the glare, and block UV radiation without impacting the ability to see out the window.
Ultraviolet rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation in sunlight that can cause skin damage, from wrinkles and liver spots to skin cancer. They can also impact the eyes. Therefore, UV protection is essential for any sunshades you plan to use on the side or rear windows. They add a much-needed layer of protection, much like UV-blocking sunglasses.
UV radiation—combined with the extreme heat that can build up in a car’s interior—can also cause damage to your dashboard, seats, and consoles, so it’s a good idea to look for sunshades with UV protection in all scenarios, typically listed as a percentage of the UV light the product blocks.
Using car shades provides a myriad of benefits. They prevent the car interior from heating up in hot, sunny climates—lowering the internal temperature by as much as 40 degrees and keeping all the surfaces from being hot to the touch. They also can protect your car’s interior from fading due to sun exposure. Semi-transparent versions with UV protection even help block harmful elements of the sun’s rays and provide additional cooling shade and reduced glare on the side windows without sacrificing visibility.
Some sunshades are crafted with materials that absorb the sun’s heat and warm the car interior, making it a welcome respite after a day on the slopes.
Yes! If it has a silver side that faces out to reflect the sun and heat. If there's a black side, that side faces in to absorb the sun and heat not reflected. If it's the same color on both sides, it doesn't matter.
Christine Luff is a freelance writer specializing in travel and health. Christine has held staff positions at Reader's Digest and Ladies' Home Journal and has written for numerous magazines, including Allure, Women's Health, and Cosmopolitan.
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